Kirk Merritt, an all-purpose wideout/running back from Destrehan, Louisiana, claimed the Nike SPARQ national title Tuesday during The Opening football camp at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton.

The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Merritt clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds to take the lead late in the four-discipline event from five-star recruit Josh Sweat, a defensive end. He ended with a score of 148.83.

The SPARQ events are the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, kneeling medicine ball toss (called the powerball toss) and a vertical leap test. Height and weight are also factored in to the equation that churns out the prospect's final score, or SPARQ rating.

Merritt said he is considering Oregon, LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M and Auburn as his top college choices.